Hezbollah; source of 'Israel', US contention on how to deal with it
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This is the first instance in nearly a year that the US and "Israel" had such a significant disagreement on their approach to Hezbollah.
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Black smoke rises from an Israeli airstrike on the outskirts of Ayta al-Shaab, a Lebanese border village in South Lebanon, Saturday, November 4, 2023. (AP)
In the days prior to Israeli airstrikes against Lebanon, US officials cautioned the Israeli government that the offensive approach could accelerate the region's descent into a full-blown war, according to two senior US officials and one Israeli official as reported by Politico.
The US emphasized that a diplomatic resolution with Hezbollah remained achievable and that a military operation could jeopardize those negotiations, according to the report.
Just a few days ago, White House National Security spokesperson John Kirby cautioned that a regional military escalation is not in the Israeli occupation's "best interest", as rising cross-border warfare in the north raised the prospect of an all-out war.
"We don't believe that escalating this military conflict is in their best interest," Kirby told ABC's "This Week," adding that the US is "saying this directly to our Israeli counterparts."
Kirby noted that tensions are running high and explained that there may still be "time and space for a diplomatic solution," claiming that the US was working toward it.
US-"Israel" disagreement deepens over strategy against Hezbollah
Despite US warnings, "Israel" proceeded with its military actions. While Israeli officials acknowledged Washington's advocacy for a diplomatic solution, they disagreed on the approach, suggesting it was time to "escalate to de-escalate."
An Israeli official told Politico that this strategy involved striking Hezbollah forcefully enough to compel them to engage in talks to resolve the situation.
This marked the first significant disagreement between the US and "Israel" regarding Hezbollah in nearly a year, raising concerns about the viability of the administration's diplomatic plan to resolve tensions along the northern border in the near future, as per the report.
The report went on to say that the US has urged "Israel" to refrain from intensifying its military operations in Lebanon, fearing that such actions could heighten regional tensions and potentially trigger a war.
Washington communicated this message through various diplomatic channels throughout the summer, including phone calls and meetings in both Washington and "Israel", as per the report.
Politico suggested that "Israel" had largely supported the diplomatic initiative proposed by Washington until late August when the ceasefire talks regarding Gaza faltered. This prompted "Israel" to reassess its military priorities and concentrate on "weakening Hezbollah" in the North, as per the report.
In meetings last week, "Israel" informed Amos Hochstein, a senior advisor to the US President, that it intended to intensify its pressure on Lebanon.
US officials later reported that they received no advance notice regarding the recent attacks on Hezbollah using pagers and walkie-talkies, despite "Israel" not officially claiming responsibility.
Tensions rise between Washington and Tel Aviv
"Israel's" strikes against Hezbollah have sparked a debate within the Biden administration regarding the effectiveness of "Israel’s" extensive military operations and the potential for escalating violence in the region, as per the report.
While some White House officials support Israeli military actions against Hezbollah, others in the Pentagon and intelligence community are skeptical that this strategy will lead Hezbollah to engage in diplomacy, the report added.
Increasing frustration and concern have arisen over the rising death toll in Lebanon due to Israeli airstrikes. Although the administration has not yet labeled the "conflict as a war," officials believe it will be challenging—though not impossible—to rectify the situation, according to a senior US official as cited by Politico.
In recent briefings on Capitol Hill, defense and intelligence officials expressed worries to Congress that Israeli airstrikes could provoke an even greater response from Hezbollah, a group known for its extensive international capabilities to organize and carry out attacks, as described by the report.
Thus far, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appears determined to persist with the military aggression on Lebanon, with the Israeli military announcing plans to intensify attacks in the coming days. “Hezbollah must not be given a break,” said Israeli military chief of staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi in a statement on Tuesday.
If violence escalates, it could lead to an all-out war between "Israel" and Lebanon—a scenario the Biden administration has long sought to avoid, the report said.
Although many perceive the ongoing attacks as already constituting a war, Hezbollah has yet to fully retaliate for Israeli recent actions, it added.
Should they choose to do so, it could escalate the war into a cycle of tit-for-tat strikes, potentially resulting in a much larger confrontation.
“If we had a cease-fire and the release of hostages, I think there would be diplomatic ways to reduce the threat from Lebanon and allow Israel to restore their citizens near their border,” Sen. Jack Reed (D-R.I.), the chair of the Senate Armed Services Committee told Politico.
“Because of the intransigence mainly of Netanyahu, there’s been no diplomatic progress, so he’s choosing kinetic means,” Reed added.
The electronic attacks on Lebanon took place shortly after Hochstein's visit. Subsequently, late last week, "Israel" launched its air campaign, bombing a residential apartment complex in Beirut. Over the past two days, "Israel" has ramped up its aerial operations, targeting sites in South Lebanon. Lebanese officials report that as many as 600 people have been killed as a result, marking the highest casualty count since the 34-day war with Hezbollah in 2006.
Despite the escalating violence, US officials still believe they can facilitate a diplomatic agreement between "Israel" and Lebanon, as per the report.
“Full-scale war is not in anyone’s interest. The situation has escalated,” President Joe Biden stated during his final address at the UN General Assembly on Tuesday. “A solution is still possible. In fact, it remains the only path to lasting security and to allow the residents of both countries to return to their homes.”
